Rear locking differential

I have a 2021 trd off road Tacoma 4x2. My question is when is it ok to use the rear locking differential while off roading or when the truck gets stuck? I thought the whole thing with the rear locking differential was to use it while off roading.

 

Ideally you use it when you're in trouble, that way you have an ace in hole.

Similar to the mantra for 4x4 "2 in, 4out"

Unlocked in, Locked out.

 

Any time you foresee the need for the extra traction of both rear wheels locked together. I’ve always preferred traction aids because I don’t have to use as much momentum to get through things, can use a bit more finesse.

It can make the truck want to go more in a straight line, so you might lose some maneuverability on low traction surfaces, but that’s the beauty of a selectable locker.

 

It’s always ok, but most useful for slow speed technical obstacles. It interferes with steering so gets annoying when you don’t need it. I would rather have it engaged before I got stuck than have to engage it after I got stuck. It’s engagement is finicky. Get out and experiment with it. Try an obstacle with it and without it.

 

Welcome

 

4x2 TRD OR?? Didn't know that Toyota built them with 2WD AND a rear locker.

All of the above.
Definitely NOT for dry pavement unless you're going in a perfectly straight line.
It does require occasional engagement just to insure it's working when you need it.
I've only used it when I've gotten somewhat stuck it deep snow. I wouldn't use it when off-roading unless it's a really sticky situation requiring power to both rear wheels.

 

It replaced the Pre-Runner from the previous Gen.

 

It's hard for us wet state inhabitants to understand a 2wd pickup with a rear locker and "off-road" badging. I didn't know they existed until I joined this forum.

 

I highly doubt Toyota even makes many at all, and would guess they are primarily sold in Southern and Western States.

 

I've kept the locker engaged on my 04 while offroading on trails where I'll know I'll need it. Keep it on the whole time. The Toyota elockers are notorious for taking some time/movement to engage which can be problematic if you wait until you're stuck to use it.

 

I've found that ATRAC gets me through most stuff without the steering annoyance of the locker, but if I think I might need the locker I engage it ahead of time. I think the locker shines in high traction situations where wheel spin is going to cause trouble. Many of the situations here in Minnesota involve either mud or snow where wheel spin is either unavoidable or desirable and I've found ATRAC to be just as good as the locker in those situations.

 

Ive been told the locker only works in a 4x4 in low range. But a 2x4 has it? There would be no low range in a 2x4 correct? So why does locker not work in HI range of a 4x4? Or 2WD of a 4x4? Just curious....

 

Different computers…wish I were hackerman enough to combine the logic from the locker portion of the 2x4 with the rest of the 4x4 computer. You can hear it doing it’s magic clicks behind the glovebox when you engage the locker/4x4/low range.

 

Good point, I'm sure it "can" work just fine in 4x2. My F-150 had a similar issue (locking diff only in 4h or 4l) and the solution was to replace the differential/4x4 switch with one from a raptor (Ford used a physical lockout in the switch the prevent engaging the diff in 2x4). It looks like the Tacoma uses a software lockout, unfortunately.

 

There's a 2-lo mod that a lot of folks here use for backing up boats and stuff like that. I suppose if you did the 2-lo mod you would also be able to engage your rear locker in 2-lo.

 

That's a good question. I have to be in 4lo to lock the axle on my Tacoma but can lock it anytime on my F150. To my knowledge Toyota is the only manufacturer who does it this way. There are times when locking the diff for a short distance would be helpful, but 4X4 is not needed. Certainly no need for low range. If they can offer locking diff on a 2wd, they can set it to be locked in 2wd even on a 4X4.

And that's a mod I wouldn't touch with a 10' pole. Back in the day when 4X4's had manually locking hubs and 3 sticks in the floor to engage 4X4 and low range it was easy to shift to low range while still in 2wd. They put stern warning labels on the trucks and in the owners manuals advising drivers NOT to do so. That's a good way to snap a U-Joint or blow up a rear diff. I've seen it happen.

They no longer advise people not to do so because with modern trucks it is impossible to do so unless the truck is modified.

 

I would go as far as I can with the locker off. If I get stuck, and have to engage it, then I would consider turning around. Unless you have friends and quality recovery gear, then have at her and test the limits.

And welcome to the forum

 

That is correct, majority of the tacos seen in the south are 4x2 due to these sunbelt states having relatively flat terrain.

 

I have an issue engaging the Differential Lock in my TRD OR. Getting into and out of 4LO, fine. Come to a stop, shift to N and press the Lock button, nothing. The light just blinks the 1/2 sec not the 1/4 sec Ive seen somewhere. I messed around and messed around trying forward then backward around and around. Just the blinking light. The only way I got the thing to be consistent engaging and disengaging was to either be moving forward or backward very slowly and turn the steering wheel and press the button. Any ideas?

 

just keep engaging and disengaging it regularly. They seem to get sticky the longer they aren’t used. Same with 4H and 4L, I try to hit all three at least once a month a few times.